George Bruno "Zoot" Money was an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader.
25 Facts About Zoot Money
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Zoot Money was best known for playing the Hammond organ and for his leadership of the Big Roll Band.
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Zoot Money took his stage name "Zoot" from Zoot Sims after seeing him perform in concert.
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Zoot Money was associated with the Animals, Eric Burdon, Peter Green, Steve Marriott, Kevin Coyne, Kevin Ayers, Humble Pie, Steve Ellis, Alexis Korner, Snowy White, Mick Taylor, Spencer Davis, Vivian Stanshall, Geno Washington, Brian Friel, Hard Travelers, Widowmaker, Georgie Fame and Alan Price.
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Zoot Money was later a bit part and character actor in films and TV.
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George Bruno Zoot Money was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire in 1942, the youngest of four children of Italian parents, Oscar and Maria.
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Zoot Money formed the six-piece Portchester Road Jazz Band, in which he played banjo.
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In 1961 Zoot Money, "cherry-picking the best musicians in Bournemouth's other rock'n'roll groups", formed the Big Roll Band with himself as vocalist, Roger Collis on lead guitar, pianist Al Kirtley, bassist Mike "Monty" Montgomery and drummer Johnny Hammond.
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Kirtley left shortly afterwards and Zoot Money took over on organ.
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Zoot Money briefly joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, playing Hammond organ.
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Zoot Money returned to the UK in 1970 and contributed piano to the improvised studio sessions led by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green which became Green's experimental The End of the Game album.
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Zoot Money appeared in the film adaptation of Ronnie Barker's Porridge in 1979, played a music industry PR in Breaking Glass in 1980, and in 1986 was a barman in Absolute Beginners.
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Zoot Money signed to Paul McCartney's record label MPL Communications in 1980 and recorded Mr Zoot Money, produced by Jim Diamond.
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In 1987 Zoot Money was Musical Director for the BBC Scotland drama series Tutti Frutti and he wrote the theme music.
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In 1994 Zoot Money recorded with Alan Price and the Electric Blues Company alongside vocalist and guitarist Bobby Tench, bassist Peter Grant and drummer Martin Wild, on A Gigster's Life for Me.
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Zoot Money has appeared with Price at live appearances in the UK.
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In 1998 Zoot Money produced Ruby Turner's album Call Me by My Name.
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Zoot Money produced the Woodstock Taylor album Road Movie and contributed keyboards.
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In 2003 Zoot Money featured on the British 'Legends of Rhythm and Blues' UK tour alongside Long John Baldry, Ray Dorset and Paul Williams.
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In 2005 Zoot Money joined Goodall to record a CD of new songs by Goodall and Pete Brown and they toured the UK under the name Good Zoot Money.
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Zoot Money appeared with the RD Crusaders for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the London International Music Show on 15 June 2008.
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Zoot Money joined the British Blues All Stars in 2014 and has appeared with the Big Roll Band at The Bull's Head in Barnes, London.
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Zoot Money died on 8 September 2024, at the age of 82.
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Zoot Money was survived by a daughter and two sons.
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Zoot Money began attracting acting roles in the 1970s and started an acting career with character appearances in film and television dramas.